Assessing the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on societies, economies and vulnerable groups is essential to inform and tailor the responses of governments and partners so that they may recover and ensure that no one is left behind.

To this end, UNDP, as the technical lead for the UN’s socio-economic response in Armenia under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, initiated a rapid nationwide Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) focusing on the socio-economic impact of the crisis on communities. The assessment was performed as a follow-up to a request extended through the Ministry of Economy in partnership with UNFPA, UN Women, UNAIDS, the Asian Development Bank and the generous technical support from other UN agencies and IFIs. Close collaboration was ensured with the Government of Armenia. Several ministries were actively engaged in the process, and the Ministry of Territorial Administration mobilized the regional and local authorities to take an active role.

The assessment provides micro-level insights into the full scope of the COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia, having studied the macroeconomic analysis of the International Monetary Fund and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) as well as analysis provided by the Government of Armenia and specialised UN agencies. The report outlines the social and economic dimensions of the pandemic at the community level and provides recommendations that will help the Government respond more eff ectively.